Waiver — fees — assignments — penalties

1Waiver of rights void. Any agreement by an individual to waive, release, or commute the individual’s rights to benefits or any other rights under this chapter shall be void. Any agreement by any individual in the employ of any person or concern to pay all or any portion of an employer’s contributions, required under this chapter from such employer, shall be void. No employer shall directly or indirectly make or require or accept any deduction from wages to finance the employer’s contributions required from the employer, or require or accept any waiver of any right under this chapter by any individual in the employer’s employ. Any employer or officer or agent of an employer who violates any provision of this subsection shall, for each offense, be guilty of a serious misdemeanor. 2Prohibition against fees. An individual claiming benefits shall not be charged fees of any kind in any proceeding under this chapter by the department or its representatives or by a court or an officer of the court. An individual claiming benefits in a proceeding before the department, an appeal tribunal, or a court may be represented by counsel or other duly authorized agent. A person who violates a provision of this subsection is guilty of a serious misdemeanor for each violation. 3No assignment of benefits — exemptions. Any assignment, pledge, or encumbrance of any right to benefits which are or may become due or payable under this chapter shall be void, and such rights to benefits shall be exempt from levy, execution, attachment, or any other remedy whatsoever provided for the collection of debt; and benefits received by any individual, so long as they are not mingled with other funds of the recipient, shall be exempt from any remedy whatsoever for the collection of all debts. Any waiver of any exemption provided for in this subsection shall be void.